Solar Powered Irrigation

SOLAR WATER SOLUTIONS

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS – PLUG AND PUMP ?
 Presenter

Jesper Blankenfeldt (jblankenfeldt@grundfos.com)

– Lead Product Development Engineer, Grundfos Holding A/S
Mr. Blankenfeldt has been at Grundfos for 30+ years and within Renewables / Solar Water solutions in more than 20
years. The Grundfos Solartronic SA1500 was the first “Solar product” for Mr. Blankenfeldt, after that he has been
following the Solar product range both in respect to development, production, maintenance and applications.
Grundfos Solar water solutions

Leaders in off-grid technology

1980 SA1000
• First off-grid water supply in 1980
• Continuously improved efficiency with the
original system using an external inverter
1988 SA1500

• SQFlex submersible pump launched in

SA400
2002 with an integrated solar inverter 1995
– the CRFlex surface pump followed in
2011 2002 SQFlex

• First water dispenser launched in 2011

– the intelligent AQtap water ATM 2011 CRFlex
Lifelink 2.0
followed in 2015
• RSI launched in 2016 for large solar water AQtap
2015
supply, perfectly matched to standard Grundfos Solar
Inverter (RSI)
Grundfos pumps
2016
• AQpure water treatment system released AQpure
Small SQFlex
• Small SQFlex launched in 2017 2017 SQF 1-8
Grundfos Solar water solutions

Grundfos Solar Water Solutions

Submersible Surface pump

Well water intake, water transfer Irrigation, water distribution, pressure boosting

SQFlex 1.4kW RSI solar inverter CRFlex 1.73kW

Small SQFlex 0.3kW 37kW (50Hp) (2.3Hp)
•Centrifugal or Helical version •External Solar Drive •Solar or Wind System
•Solar, Wind or Combi System •MPPT function •AC/DC Compatible
•AC/DC Compatible •IP 66 •Built-in MPPT (drive)
•Built-in MPPT (drive) •UL Approval •Plug and Pump
•Plug and Pump •Maximum Amb. Temp 60oC •Reliable water supply
•Reliable water supply •Low Life Cycle cost •Virtually no maintenance
•Virtually no maintenance •Versatile system configuration •Low Life Cycle cost
•Low Life Cycle cost •Made in Europe
 Products – SQFlex

SQFlex - Submersible pump with built-in drive

Specifications: • Voltage supply

• Motor size: 1.4 kW
• Flow rate (Q): 18 m3/h (90 m3/day)
• Head (H): 250 m (820 feet)
• Liquid temperature: 0 °C to +40 °C
• Enclosure class: IP68
• 30 to 300 VDC
• 1x90-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Installation depth max 150 m
• Pump type; Helical and centrifugal
• Small SQFlex - 3” centrifugal with
composite

SQFlex features:

• Compatibility to AC and DC power sources

• Wide voltage range
• Compatible to Solar, Wind or Combi System
• Simple installation for reliable water supply
• Virtually no maintenance
• Dry running protection
Products – SQFlex

Pump technology

Helical (Positive displacement) VS Centrifugal (velocity pump)

High Head Performance, 3” diameter pump, High Flow Performance, 4” diameter pump,
5 different variants 6 different variants

•High pressure •High flow

•Stable flow •Flow rate changes with
•Ideal for low flow, high pressure
head, variable speed •Ideal for high flow, low head
•Same efficiency on the full •Highest efficiency in specific
curve duty point
•Fits in smaller wells •Good sand handling

Pump type vs. Duty

A: Helical Rotor pump
B: Centrifugal pump
Products – SQFlex

Small SQFlex SQF 1-8

for shallow wells with low daily flow requirements

Specifications:
• Motor size: 0.3 kW
• Flow rate (Q): 2 m3/h (12m3/day)
• Head (H): 40 m
• Liquid temperature: 0 °C to +40 °C
• Enclosure class: IP68
• Voltage supply 30 to 300 VDC
or 1x90-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Maximum current 8.4 A
• 3” diameter
• Pump type; centrifugal composite

SQFlex protection:
• Polarity mistakes
• Overtemperature
• Over- and undervoltage
• Overload
• Dry-running
SQFlex Traditional PV pump

SYSTEM COMPLEXITY
SQFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well
Water Yield:
20 m3 /day
Head:
40m
Elevated tank:
5m3
Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX 3A-10
PV installation:
1,56 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos 3” PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, 15 ha fruit

trees + 100 people and 130 cattle.
SQFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well
Water Yield:
20 m3 /day
Head:
40m
Elevated tank:
5m3
Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX 3A-10
PV installation:
1,56 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos 3” PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, 15 ha fruit

trees + 100 people and 130 cattle.
SQFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well
Water Yield:
20 m3 /day
Head:
40m
Elevated tank:
5m3
Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX 3A-10
PV installation:
1,56 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos 3” PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, 15 ha fruit

trees + 100 people and 130 cattle.
 Products – MGFlex

MGFlex solar surface motor

The Grundfos MGFlex solar surface motor is specifically designed for solar energy
applications with various Grundfos hydraulics.
When used with reliable multistage CR hydraulics, the result is the high
efficiency CRFlex solar surface pump.

• Built-in frequency converter with MPPT software and

motor protection
• AC/DC compatible
• Multiple sensor/switches connections
(3x analog input and 2x digital input)
• Wide Voltage range
• High efficiency
• Wide material range
• Easy installation
• Motor size 0.88kW and 1.73kW (P1)
• Voltage range 30-300 VDC or 1 x 90-240 VAC 50/60 Hz
 Products – CRFlex

CRFlex applications
• Simple CRFlex Solar installation with dry running protection
• CRFlex Solar installation with storage water tank
• SQFlex and CRFlex combination solution

SQFlex and CRFlex

combination solution
CRFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
65 m3 /day
Head:
3m
Elevated tanks:
25m3
Pump:
Grundfos CRFlex 10-1
PV installation:
1,12 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos MGFlex PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Community farming, 40 farmers,

total 8 ha vegetables.
CRFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
65 m3 /day
Head:
3m
Elevated tanks:
25m3
Pump:
Grundfos CRFlex 10-1
PV installation:
1,12 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos MGFlex PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Community farming, 40 farmers,

total 8 ha vegetables.
CRFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
65 m3 /day
Head:
3m
Elevated tanks:
25m3
Pump:
Grundfos CRFlex 10-1
PV installation:
1,12 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos MGFlex PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Community farming, 40 farmers,

total 8 ha vegetables.
CRFLEX – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
65 m3 /day
Head:
3m
Elevated tanks:
25m3
Pump:
Grundfos CRFlex 10-1
PV installation:
1,12 kWp
Motor type:
Grundfos MGFlex PM motor
Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Community farming, 40 farmers,

total 8 ha vegetables.
RSI – a bit more than P & P
Products – RSI

Grundfos Solar Inverter (RSI)

The intelligent IP66 off-grid Grundfos Solar
Inverter (RSI) can power nearly all Grundfos
pumps, greatly expanding possibilities for solar
energy water supply systems.

• Works with almost any Grundfos pump

up to 37 kW
Products – RSI

RSI benefits

• AC/DC compatible: Can switch to mains power or generator if required, simply connect the
two power sources via an external switchover box.
• Quick setup Wizard: Set up in less than 5 minutes. All that is required is confirmation of
motor type and pre-set value. Set up in the workshop for easy plug-and-pump onsite.
• IP66 enclosure class: No need to use a weatherproof cabinet, saving on installation costs.
• Advanced MPPT software: Continuously optimises the system, improving power and water
output by up to 30 %.
 Products – RSI

Assumption
RSI – Sizing Reference around the world Water Demand: 100m3(27,5K gal) /day
Head: 200m (656 ft)
Reference Month for sizing: July
Seville, Spain Motor type 3x380V 60Hz
22.1kW (85 x SW260)
SP17-15 + 15kW RSI
Ave. Pr Year: 67m3/day
Jan Apr Jul Oct
14.6 80.5 104 69.8

Austin, USA
24.7kW (95 x SW260) Bangalore,
SP17-16 + 15kW RSI
Ave. Pr Year: 91m3/day India
32.76kW (126 x SW260)
Jan Apr Jul Oct SP17-22 + 18.5kW RSI
Jan Pr Year:
Ave. Apr146m3/day
Jul Oct
71.5 93.3 101 98.5 168 173 101 142

San Paulo,
Brazil Dar-Es-Salaam,
34.58kW (133 x SW260) Tanzania Brisbane,
SP17-22 + 18.5kW RSI 30.94kW (119 x SW260)
Jan Apr Jul Oct
Ave. Pr Year: 101m3/day SP17-21 + 18.5kW RSI Australia
102 102 106 96.7 Apr104m3/day
Jan Pr Year:
Ave. Jul Oct 29.64kW (114 x SW260)
118 84 100 114 SP17-18 + 15kW RSI
Jan Pr Year:
Ave. Apr122.6mJul
3/day Oct
137 114 105 136
RSI – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
1000 m3 /day
Head:
50m
Reservoir, 2,7 km from pump:
2500m3
Pump:
Grundfos SP125-3
Inverter:
RSI, 37 kW
+ Sine Wave filter
PV installation:
51 kWp
Motor type:
3x380V 50Hz
Irrigation:
Micro sprinklers by gravity.
Commercial farming, 65 Ha
Macadamia and Chili
RSI – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
1000 m3 /day
Head:
50m
Reservoir, 2,7 km from pump:
2500m3
Pump:
Grundfos SP125-3
Inverter:
RSI, 37 kW
+ Sine Wave filter
PV installation:
51 kWp
Motor type:
3x380V 50Hz
Irrigation:
Micro sprinklers by gravity.
Commercial farming, 65 Ha
Macadamia and Chili
RSI – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
1000 m3 /day
Head:
50m
Reservoir, 2,7 km from pump:
2500m3
Pump:
Grundfos SP125-3
Inverter:
RSI, 37 kW
+ Sine Wave filter
PV installation:
51 kWp
Motor type:
3x380V 50Hz
Irrigation:
Micro sprinklers by gravity.
Commercial farming, 65 Ha
Macadamia and Chili
RSI – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
1000 m3 /day
Head:
50m
Reservoir, 2,7 km from pump:
2500m3
Pump:
Grundfos SP125-3
Inverter:
RSI, 37 kW
+ Sine Wave filter
PV installation:
51 kWp
Motor type:
3x380V 50Hz
Irrigation:
Micro sprinklers by gravity.
Commercial farming, 65 Ha
Macadamia and Chili
RSI – Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Surface water
Water Yield:
1000 m3 /day
Head:
50m
Reservoir, 2,7 km from pump:
2500m3
Pump:
Grundfos SP125-3
Inverter:
RSI, 37 kW
+ Sine Wave filter
PV installation:
51 kWp
Motor type:
3x380V 50Hz
Irrigation:
Micro sprinklers by gravity.
Commercial farming, 65 Ha
Macadamia and Chili
SQFLEX – 2. Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well

Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, Chili field.

SQFLEX – 2. Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well

Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, Chili field.

SQFLEX – 2. Irrigation system in Malawi

System data:

Application:
Ground water well

Pump:
Grundfos SQFLEX Irrigation:
Point to point hose irrigation

Commercial farming, Chili field.

SQFLEX – 3. Irrigation system in Malawi
System data:

Application:
Surface water

Pump:
2 * Grundfos SQFLEX Irrigation:

Commercial farming, Rubber Tree

plantation, 180.000 Plants.
Remember to clean the Generator !!!!